“It’s never foolish to begin preparing for a transition no matter how many years away it is or where you are in your career.”
Muriel Maignan Wilkins
Author of Own The Room
The boardroom might be many years off, but that doesn’t mean you can’t think like a leader from the get go.
In fact, you can think and behave like a leader-in-the-making from even an entry-level position, elevating yourself in the minds of colleagues and decision makers to ensure you’re on the fast track to the top.
DO YOUR JOB
It might sound obvious, but before you can raise your hand for stretch assignments to improve your skillset and visibility, you must first ensure you’re excelling in your role. Be clear about the targets, objectives and behaviours
you’re measured against and develop a robust plan to ensure you’re successful. Consider this the solid base on which you can build your leadership credentials.
POWER UP YOUR BOSS RELATIONSHIP
Approach your relationship with your manager as you would that of a partner, albeit a junior one. Tread carefully; the aim is not to take power from your boss, rather to work in such a way that makes the two of you together a more
powerful unit. Seize every opportunity you can to better understand your boss and his or her needs. Be clear on their professional and personal objectives, how they fit into your own targets and those of the department or overall
business, and how you can help them be more successful. Download the everywomanNetwork workbook Managing upward with success.
FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS
Business leaders and their closest advisors must become adept at spotting problems before they arise, and this is a skill you can begin to hone at any stage. What those at the top of the ladder can’t do though, is simply raise problems
and then wait for direction. Demonstrate your chops as a leader by highlighting not just the curve balls lurking around the corner, but also by proposing how you propose to navigate through them.
BECOME A THOUGHT LEADER
You don’t have to be Richard Branson or Arianna Huffington to position yourself as a thought leader. You could be college-leader with plenty to say about the way large financial institutions recruit new graduates, or an industry
newcomer with ideas for how a sector can better position itself to outsiders in order to encourage more diversity. The
key is to be authentic, so consider what it is that truly interests you about your job, company, customers or industry and use social
media, blogging platforms and networking events to make yourself and your ideas known. Read more about
using social media to elevate your status.
SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES, BUT HUNT OUT YOUR OWN
Sometimes opportunities come to us in disguise, like a boss taking holiday or a work experience person coming into the department. But if you’ve spent time crafting a plan of the types of workplace activities that would stand you in
good future stead, you’ll be more alert to chances to stand in for your manager at a senior meeting or line manage a new temp in the team.
Accepting such mini challenges is one way to demonstrate your value, but you don’t necessarily always have to wait until
you’re invited. If your company has a regular internship programme, let the organisers know that you’d love the chance to mentor a newbie. If you spot that your boss is currently overworked, ask if you could attend any meetings or
shoulder any deliverables while they catch up.
THE WORDS YOU SHOULD NEVER UTTER
“That’s not in my job description.” Leaders don’t get hung up on remit. In fact, the best way to get a view of the bigger picture and how your role fits into the wider organisation is to take every opportunity to step outside your day
to day and take a bird’s eye view of the business. No line manager ever wants to hear their employee declining a task on the basis that’s it not their responsibility – demonstrate your value by jumping at the opportunity to learn a new
skill. If you’re nervous about volunteering outside your skillset, read the article 7 reasons you’re stuck in your comfort zone.
BUSINESS FIRST, CAREER PLAN SECOND
Sharing your ambitions with a boss or other senior figure is a great way to ensure you’re at front of mind when relevant opportunities spring up. But when you’re delivering your pitch, be sure to present your requests in a way that
demonstrates you’re putting the business’s needs first. You might be desperate to win project leadership because it adds a much-needed string to your bow, but think about what you can bring to the task that will ensure the organisation
benefits too. Your boss might care about your career plan, but he or she cares more about solving business problems.
BE CONFIDENT – HUMBLY
Self-esteem is a wonderful virtue but avoid putting backs up by remaining humble and aware of your inexperience. Demonstrate your commitment to learning by asking questions,
dialling up your active listening and approaching new tasks with a sponge-like mentality. Take the initiative in putting
together plans and ideas, but show that you’re mindful of your junior position by seeking input from others. Ask for regular, constructive feedback and
ensure you demonstrate you’ve taken it on board through your actions. Find role models and build relationships at as many levels as possible both within and external to your organisation.
